Review: The Avett Brothers 'Magpie' is smooth folk

Monday

Oct 14, 2013 at 12:01 AMOct 14, 2013 at 11:59 AM

The Associated Press

The evolving definition of folk music currently carries a little bit of rock, a little bit of reverb and a few other nontraditional flavors thrown in the stew. It's all being well received and The Avett Brothers' new album "Magpie and the Dandelion" should be no exception.

Songs like "Open Ended Life" and "Skin and Bones" present a folk version of rock's wall-of-sound approach. Instead of a nuanced give and take between banjo and guitar and drums, we get them all at once, side by side, vying for attention. With proper mixing it works on these hardened-heart love songs.

Things work up to a glorious crescendo on several tracks, going from simmer to boil on "Another is Waiting." Though it's worth noting that the sizzle on "Magpie" is mostly thanks to strong instrumentals. The group lacks a strong lead vocalist. Both Scott and Seth Avett can sing, but not convincingly enough to mesmerize the listener because of it.

All in all, this is pleasant listening and the songs stick in the head. The North Carolina trio is a tight band eight albums into their career, and the folk renaissance has ushered in a new and deserving appreciation for their lilting nu-folk.